Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

Hundreds of hair loss questions are answered on our discussion forum and received in our inbox on a weekly basis. Below, we’ve collected some of these hot topic questions of the week and posted responses by veteran hair transplant patients and leading hair restoration physicians.

You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by using the contact form.

Is Finpecia (Generic Finasteride) as Effective as Propecia?

Can Doctors Predict Future Hair Loss?

Dealing with Hair Restoration Complications (Dr. James Vogel)

What is the Difference between Rogaine and Minoxidil?

How Many Grafts are Needed to Restore a Balding Crown?

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplant, hair restoration

I’ve been taking finasteride for about 6 months.  For the first few months, I was taking 1/4 tablet of Proscar daily however, due to severe dryness of the skin on my face after taking finasteride for only a few months, I now take it every 3 days.  can you please let me know whether taking 1/4 tablet of Proscar every 3 days is still effective to stop hair loss?

According to the Propecia website, dry skin is not a reported side effect of finasteride.  However, you are the second person I’ve heard claim this in the last 2 months.

The recommended FDA approved dosage of finasteride is 1mg daily.  However, in the event side effects occur, many leading hair restoration physicians have suggested their hair loss patients try taking 1mg every other day.  In my opinion, consult with a qualified hair loss doctor and get their recommendation on an appropriate dosage for you.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: finasteride, Proscar, hair loss, Propecia, hair restoration, hair loss doctor

Due to the potential side effects of proven hair loss treatments like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil), alternatives are created and marketed all the time. Provillus and Procerin are too recent treatments that claim to stophair loss without unwanted sexual side effects.

Recently, forum member “LT” asks about the validity of these treatments and how effective they are in treating baldness. Join in the discussion to share your experiences and read what others have to say about the efficacy of alternative treatments for baldness.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss treatments, hair loss, baldness

Our hair loss community was created for balding men and women to review, critique, and challenge marketing hype and learn the most effective ways to treat baldness.

Below we’ve listed and reviewed several popular hair loss products on the market today. Follow the links below to a product you’d like to know more about learn whether these popular products show any proof they can stop hair loss.

Procerin Hair Treatment for Men: This “All-Natural” product includes a number of ingredients considered alternatives to Propecia (finasteride), a drug proven to block the production of DHT and treat baldness.

Extreme Hair Therapy (EXT): This non-surgical 5 step hair loss treatment program has been developed by Hair Club to “rejuvenate your hair”.

Revivogen: This popular topical treatment contains several “all-natural” ingredients conjectured to  stop alopecia in its tracks by blocking DHT naturally without side effects.

Revita Shampoo: Relatively new to the market, this shampoo boasts a number of ingredients, many of which claim to contribute to stopping further loss of hair and possibly stimulate hair regrowth.

Saw Palmetto: This highly popular “All-Natural” supplement is found in many popular hair loss treatments and conjectured to block DHT.  Learn the facts about saw palmetto and draw your own conclusions on whether or not it can treat baldness.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, balding, baldness, hair loss products, stop hair loss, Propecia, finasteride, DHT, treat baldness, hair loss treatment, Hair Club, alopecia, hair regrowth, hair loss treatments, saw palmetto

I am using Rogaine for my hair loss but want to stop using it.  Can I stop using it and take Propecia instead? How long does it take before you can tell a difference? I am 47 years old.  How often should I take it?  Will my hair regrow with this medication?

Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are both proven and FDA approved to treat baldness, but operate entirely different one from another.  Propecia works by inhibiting the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for genetic male pattern baldness.  Rogaine works by stimulating the hair follicle, potentially causing hair regrowth.  In combination one with another, you have the most effective non-surgical hair loss treatment regime available, even more so than either one separately.

If you choose to stop Rogaine, you may lose any hair regrowth you’ve acquired, even if you start taking Propecia.   In my opinion, if you don’t want to lose any hair growth you’ve obtained by using Rogaine, continue using it and simply add Propecia to your regime. 

Propecia comes in 1mg tablets of finasteride and should be taken daily.  Consult with your doctor to learn more about the benefits, limitations, and possible side effects of this drug.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: Rogaine, hair loss, Propecia, finasteride, minoxidil, treat baldness, dihydrotestosterone, DHT, male pattern baldness, hair regrowth, hair loss treatment, hair growth

Many balding men and women waste time using hair restoration products that promise hair regrowth but seldom deliver. Get past the hype and learn what really works to stop hair loss.

Recently, we asked several of the world’s leading hair restoration physicians to answer a number of frequently asked hair loss questions. Below, we share what the medical experts have to say about hair loss and today’s available treatments.

Is Propecia (Finasteride) Effective When Applied Topically (Dr. Tim Carman)? Read this Q&A blog and learn if finasteride can be an effective DHT blocker when applied topically.

Compare Today’s Non-surgical Hair Loss Treatments to Surgical Hair Restoration (Dr. Mike Meshkin): Learn about today’s non-surgical treatments and how they compare with today’s revolutionary hair transplant procedures.

How Do You Properly Care for Your Hair Transplant Right After Surgery (Dr. Paul Shapiro)? Immediately following hair replacement surgery, it’s important to apply tender care to newly transplanted grafts. Read this article to learn how to prevent damage and optimize hair regrowth.

What are the Risks Involved in Surgical Hair Restoration (Dr. Mike Beehner): Read this article to learn about some of the risks involved with hair transplant surgery.

Why Won’t My Doctor Prescribe Proscar for Hair Loss (Dr. Ricardo Mejia)? Proscar and Propecia both contain the same active ingredient finasteride. But some doctors won’t prescribe Proscar. Read this article to find out why.

This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Robert True of New York, NY who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

When can I start using hair care products after hair transplant surgery?

A few weeks after the hair restoration procedure, you can return to use of any of your preferred hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, gels, mousses, etc.

We do believe that the Head and Shoulders and Neutrogena product lines are excellent for maintaining hair and scalp health, but you can use the products you know and like the best.

You can color your hair beginning one month after your treatment.  It is safe to use semi-permanent or permanent coloring agents. Try to avoid strong bleaching agents as these can be damaging to your hair whether transplanted or native.

You can also use alopecia (hair loss) masking cosmetics such as Toppik, Courve, Nanogen, or DermMatch.

You can use a laser comb if you like. We know this will not hurt anything. Although there are claims otherwise, we have not seen adequate scientific evidence that low level laser therapy prevents hair loss or restores lost hair. There is evidence that ongoing use promotes thickening of existing individual hair shafts. It is ok to use this if you want. We have no preference of models or manufacturers.

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Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair restoration, hair care products, alopecia, hair loss, Toppik, Courve, Nanogen, DermMatch, laser comb

My dermatologist couldn’t answer this question and I couldn’t find an explanation on the internet.  If DHT is the main culprit of hair loss, then why doesn’t Propecia protect minoxidil dependent hair upon stopping minoxidil regardless of its different mechanism of action.  If Propecia is reducing DHT, then why would stopping minoxidil cause hair loss?

I’d suggest that it’s possible for Propecia to maintain hair regrowth from minoxidil.  

Remember that Propecia only really inhibits about 60% of DHT, leaving 40% to attack hair follicles.  Minoxidil adds extra stimulation to your hair causing hair regrowth.  Removing it from the equation will lessen your chance of keeping some of this hair.

I suppose the phrase “minoxidil dependent” should be explained a bit further.  Healthy hair not affected by DHT won’t become dependent on minoxidil.  Only miniaturizing hair that’s been successfully sustained or rejuvenated by minoxidil is.  If a patient uses minoxidil only, most likely these hairs would fall out upon stopping its use.  However, if Propecia is added to the hair loss regime later, some of these hairs may survive due to Propecia successfully inhibiting DHT. 

Unfortunately, there’s really no way to know for sure what hair you’ll keep and which you’ll lose if you stop minoxidil.

I hope this helps explain things further.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

View the Hair Transplant Network Myspace Profile and add us as a friend

Differentiating what really works to treat hair loss and alopecia from the hype isn’t easy. Thankfully, leading hair restoration physicians and veteran hair transplant patients regularly offer their experiences on what works to treat baldness.

Below you will find answers to 5 of this week’s top topic hair loss related questions provided by real balding men and women and physician experts. You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by contacting us.

Do Split Ends Cause Male or Female Hair Loss?

Why Transplanted Hair Can Seem Wispy and Lifeless at First (Dr. Carman)

Properly Preparing for Hair Restoration

Alternative DHT Blockers to Propecia – Are They Effective?

Applying Rogaine over Topical Concealers like Dermmatch

Additionally, these questions and more are answered daily on our news and blog sites including the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, the Hair Transplant Network, and the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, alopecia, hair restoration, hair transplant, treat baldness, balding

Evaluating hair loss treatments takes careful research, looking for clinical evidence, and reading real patient testimonies with photos. Recently, a study on mice revealed that drinking green tea may stop and even reverse hair loss.

Mice with identical hair loss were split into groups and given either plain water, or water containing green tea. The results showed that green tea stopped their balding and even stimulated new hair growth in all those in the test group.

Though the results are certainly interesting, how valid is a clinical test on mice for balding humans? Can green tea really stop or even reverse hair loss? View this thread to read the study and offer your input on or experience with green tea.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss treatments, green tea, hair loss, balding, hair growth